Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Richard, Duke of York made several attempts to destroy each other as they vied for supremacy. But how did this rivalry lead to the Wars of the Roses, which ended the Plantagenet dynasty and created the new line of the Tudors?
Royal Connections
Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset was a grandson of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and his third wife, previously his mistress, Katherine Swynford.
Edmund’s father John was the oldest of the illegitimate children born to Gaunt and Swynford who would be legitimised after their parents’ scandalous marriage. Although it is often believed the Beaufort line was barred from the throne, this was not part of their legitimisation and was never approved by parliament.
Born around 1406, Edmund’s family became critical allies to the Lancastrian dynasty. Edmund’s father was half-brother to Henry IV, and so the Beaufort fortunes were closely tied to those of the House of Lancaster. As the Wars of the Roses loomed, Edmund was a second cousin once removed to King Henry VI.
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